Sainsbury’s supermarket has made a landmark move by banning the sale of fireworks ahead of the country’s annual Bonfire night celebrations.
It has been confirmed that the retailer is removing products from all of its 2,300 stores across the country this year, meaning that shoppers will not be able to purchase fireworks from them, and instead, Sainsbury’s is encouraging shoppers to opt for light-up spinning wands or glow sticks in the place of the usual explosive pyrotechnics.
Blaming a ‘range of factors,’ a spokesperson for Sainsbury’s said: “We regularly review the products available in our stores and we are no longer selling fireworks based on a range of factors.
“Customers can continue to choose from a range of seasonal products, such as glow sticks and light-up spinning wands.”
The retailrer’s decision follows a Scottish survey that found the majority of people in the country supported a ban on fireworks after over 16,000 respondents gave their opinion to the Scottish government ahead of this year’s Bonfire night celebrations.
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However, Sainsbury’s is not the first supermarket to ban the sale of fireworks, following in the footsteps of Coop – which has not sold them for five years.
Sainsbury’s supermarket has made a landmark move by banning the sale of fireworks / Credit: Alexander P Kapp
Elsewhere, other supermarkets have released statements confirming that their sales will go ahead – but some will sell ‘silent’ versions this year.
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A spokesperson for Asda explained their decision to sell ‘low noise’ fireworks this year, saying: “We know that many of our customers love fireworks, but we also know that some customers and their pets don’t like the noise, which is why this year we have launched a collection of low noise fireworks so that everyone can still enjoy the show.”
An Aldi spokesperson, meanwhile, said that the retailer would continue to sell fireworks before adding that it “understands the importance of animal welfare when celebrating [with fireworks] which is why our sales materials include reminders that pets should be kept safe indoors along with advice on how to make them feel secure.”
Tesco is another retailer that will continue to sell fireworks this year across all of its stores.
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Dogs Trust, however, has congratulated Sainsbury’s for its decision, with a spokesperson saying: “although they can look beautiful, fireworks can be very distressing for dogs when let off unexpectedly.
“Because they are so easily accessible all year-round, dog owners are on tenterhooks as to when their beloved pooch will next be frightened.”
Manchester City named the most valuable football club brand in the world
Danny Jones
Manchester City have been named the most valuable football club brand in the world, topping the Brand Finance Football 50 Report for the first time in their history.
Following yet another successful season punctuated with a fifth Premier League title in six years, another FA Cup following their historic Manchester derby victory and potentially a first-ever Champions League trophy in just a few days’ time, the club has arguably never been in a stronger position.
In monetary terms, it is a simple fact: according to this year’s Brand Finance Football 50 report, Man City’s brand value has grown 34% since the COVID-19 pandemic, rising to more than £1.3 billion and overtaking European giants Real Madrid to become the most valuable club in world football.
Despite Man United being named the most valuable club in the Premier League according to Forbes’ latest rankings at the start of this month, this report suggests that Man City took in the most revenue on a global scale, reaching their all-time high notwithstanding the pandemic recovery period.
Further backing up the numbers, City also topped Deloitte’s Money League for the second year running after announcing a record revenue of £613 million and profits of £41.7 million, the latter being more than double the previous Club record — and that was before the two most recent major honours. Crikey.
Elsewhere in the report, United did jump back above Liverpool into fourth overall, with Arsenal seeing the most growth over the last year following an impressive runner-up season. As for around Europe, PSG leapfrogged German giants Bayern Munich, and AC Milan are said to be the fastest-growing Italian club.
The City Football Group’s Chief Operating Officer, Roel de Vries, said the following after the announcement: “Being recognised as the world’s most valuable football club brand reflects the phenomenal growth story that Manchester City has had in recent years.
“This achievement recognises the evolution of not just the brand, but the Club as a whole. The Club has been performing consistently and has broken records on and off the pitch this season…
“As we look to the future, we want to keep investing in the right things – our football talent, the city of Manchester and our local community, infrastructure and fan experience. We have a proven track record of innovation and are excited for the next chapter in this Club’s great history.”
Pep Guardiola and his squad are now just one game away from winning the treble, an achievement which would not only see them join an exclusive club of just seven teams to do so, such as United’s famous 1999 team, but would no doubt see their value skyrocket even further. Can they do it?
19-year-old charged with murder of man stabbed to death in Old Trafford
Emily Sergeant
A 19-year-old has been charged with murder after a man was stabbed to death in Old Trafford last week.
Greater Manchester Police (GMP) has confirmed that 19-year-old Demari Adrian Raymond Rose has been charged with murder and possession of a bladed article after officers were called to reports of a “disturbance” at an address on Kings Road in the Old Trafford area of Manchester at around 7:45pm on Wednesday 31 May.
A 21-year-old victim – who has since been named as Salah Adam Eldin – was found seriously injured when police arrived, and despite the best efforts of the first responders, GMP confirmed that the young man was sadly pronounced dead at the scene.
Rose was arrested in the early hours of last Saturday morning (3 June), and was remanded into custody, before appearing at Tameside Magistrates Court yesterday.
#CHARGED | GMP’s Major Incident Team charge a 19 -year-old man in connection with the murder of Salah Adam Eldin.
Demari Adrian Raymond Rose (19/12/03) of no fixed abode has been charged with murder and possession of a bladed article.
— Greater Manchester Police (@gmpolice) June 5, 2023
A further two teenage males were arrested on the night of the attack in connection with the murder – a 15-year-old on suspicion of murder, and a 16-year-old on suspicion of possession of an offensive weapon in the nearby area – but GMP has revealed they have both been released on bail pending further enquiries.
Salah’s family are continuing to be supported by officers, GMP assured, and are also being continuously updated with the progress being made in the investigation.
Detective Chief Inspector Liz Hopkinson, of GMP’s Major Incident Team, said in a statement when Rose was arrested last week that the force “recognises the impact this tragic event will have on the friends and family of Salah,” and insisted that their thoughts remain with them as they “come to terms with this loss in terrible circumstances”.
DCI Hopkinson also reissued an urgent appeal to the public for witnesses and information, as well as any CCTV, doorbell, or dashcam footage.
19-year-old charged with murder of man stabbed to death in Old Trafford / Credit: Google Maps
“Whilst we have made a number of arrests,” DCI Hopkinson continued, “we are still in the early stages of a murder investigation and are working hard to piece together the timeline of events.
“We are also keeping an open mind and are continuing to appeal to members of the public to share any information they might have about this case with the police.
“It is believed the two offenders were riding a black mountain bike and a yellow Council Beryl bicycle, and enquiries also suggest there were approximately five people in the area at the time of the murder who may have vital information that could assist the investigation.”
Georgina Pellant -
19th October 2021 
